South Carolina Battles Texas for SEC Women’s Basketball Championship

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns square off against the No. 5 seed South Carolina Gamecocks today at 3 p.m. EDT in the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament final at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. This championship match is a rematch between the two teams, who have split their season series with one victory each.

Today’s face-off marks the fifth SEC championship game meeting between Texas coach Vic Schaefer and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley. Schaefer has yet to defeat Staley in the conference finals, trailing 0-4. Both teams are co-winners of the regular season title and entered the tournament with a remarkable combined record of 60-5.

With an impressive 31-2 overall record and a 15-1 SEC mark, Texas is aiming to capture its first SEC tournament title since joining the league. South Carolina, holding a 29-3 record and also sporting a 15-1 conference record, seeks to secure its third straight tournament championship.

The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN, featuring a broadcast crew of Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe. For radio listeners, the game can be heard on 107.5 FM in Columbia with Brad Muller providing the play-by-play.

As of this morning, South Carolina holds a 3.5-point advantage in betting lines with an over/under set at 135.5. Predictions from various sports analysts favor South Carolina to win, with models suggesting a likely score of 69-63 or 68-65 in favor of the Gamecocks.

In their earlier meetings this season, South Carolina won the first matchup 67-50, while Texas claimed a narrow victory 66-62 in their most recent encounter. Both teams bring different strengths to the floor, creating an electrifying matchup.

Currently leading South Carolina’s scoring is Chloe Kitts, who has emerged as a crucial player throughout the tournament. Her blend of skill and agility makes her a formidable opponent. The Gamecocks will rely on their potent defense and quick transition play to take advantage of the Longhorns’ weaknesses, particularly their struggles with shooting.

As preparations unfold for the tip-off, fans are encouraged to tune in to ESPN or the ESPN app for live coverage. Stay updated with the latest developments from the game as the action unfolds.